DUBAI (AlArabiya.net)
The Israeli Air Force has recruited a Muslim to an elite rescue unit for the first time in its history, an Israeli newspaper reported Friday.
The young woman, who was not identified, serves as a medic in the Air Force's Unit 669, one of four top units in the Israeli military, Yediot Ahronot reported.
The soldier, who comes from an Arab village in northern Israel, passed the stringent security screening partially due to a mistake, Yediot said. But her commander, who was surprised to find a Muslim woman in his unit, insisted she stay because of her excellent performance, it added.
It is highly unusual for Muslims to serve in the Israeli army. They are exempt from compulsory military service so as to not place them in a conflict of loyalties when fighting in Palestinian areas or opposite Muslim enemy states.
The female soldier volunteered to serve in the IDF and was placed with unit 669 after completing her medic training course with top honors. She will attend training this July and could become the first Muslim airborne medic in IDF history.
Unit 669 is responsible for rescuing injured soldiers under heavy enemy fire in most cases, but also takes part in civilian rescue operations. It participates in many of the Israeli military's most sensitive operations, and selection is extremely tough. |
